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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

William Bowe

59 replies

bilbowe · 17/01/2026 15:24

Pregnant with my second child- I loved William for my first but as last name is Bowe, was put off by ‘Bilbo’- am I overthinking it or is it a real thing to be bothered by?! Had mixed reactions IRL, some saying it would be absolutely fine.

If it’s really awful, any other suggestions? I also like Louis but don’t know if L.Bowe would be setting him up as well!

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Lollylavender · 20/01/2026 06:19

Alexandrine · 20/01/2026 02:21

The Williams I know under 50 are only ever called William or Will, so I think it’s not too bad. I think L. Bowe or Harry Bowe etc are much more obvious (and worse).

I might be biased though as I think William is such a fab name - so timeless and classic that you couldn’t pigeonhole one, very international, loads of interesting namesakes, popular enough to easily buy tat with his name on it (but not super popular anymore), several choices of nickname if wanted (“Liam” is big in the US and Ireland for example, although then you’d have L. Bowe again!) etc.

Imo as long as you aren’t bothered that he will potentially be sharing his name with a couple of others in larger schools, then it’s hard to find a boys name that ticks as many boxes as William does. The closest I can think of (if you want a similar style option) might be something like Alexander.

Edited

Unfortunately William gets shortened/teased with Willy. Primary school children can be very puerile.

Will is not a great short form as it’s a verb. Will will come? Will Will’s will be written?

It’s also not very international and only works in English. It would be Guillaume in French for example

Mulledjuice · 20/01/2026 02:34

L. Bowe is a NO!

I think Bilbo would be fine!

Alexandrine · 20/01/2026 02:21

The Williams I know under 50 are only ever called William or Will, so I think it’s not too bad. I think L. Bowe or Harry Bowe etc are much more obvious (and worse).

I might be biased though as I think William is such a fab name - so timeless and classic that you couldn’t pigeonhole one, very international, loads of interesting namesakes, popular enough to easily buy tat with his name on it (but not super popular anymore), several choices of nickname if wanted (“Liam” is big in the US and Ireland for example, although then you’d have L. Bowe again!) etc.

Imo as long as you aren’t bothered that he will potentially be sharing his name with a couple of others in larger schools, then it’s hard to find a boys name that ticks as many boxes as William does. The closest I can think of (if you want a similar style option) might be something like Alexander.

HugoYorway · 19/01/2026 12:35

How about Alfie, @bilbowe ?

It has a certain Star quality. Smile

FunnyOrca · 19/01/2026 12:26

You are also two letters off William Bowery, a good laugh for the swifties in your life.

Firebird83 · 18/01/2026 21:34

No, not William or LouIs

What about…

Arthur
Frederick/Freddie
Charles/Charlie
Henry
Zachary

Lollylavender · 18/01/2026 14:51

Bill, Billy, Will, Willy Bowe all sound bad, sorry.

stollenisthebest · 18/01/2026 14:34

Wouldn't go with William or any L name for the reasons given.

I think Bowe needs a first name with several syllables:

Julian - Jules/Jude
Edward
Nathaniel
Jonathan
Simeon

HugoYorway · 18/01/2026 13:51

Not Robert - bobbo.

ResusciAnnie · 18/01/2026 13:20

Bilbo would be my first thought im afraid. But id get over it. Love William!

Deadringer · 18/01/2026 13:20

William is a great name, there is no reason why he should ever be called Bill, and Billy Bowe sounds cute to me.

RavenPie · 18/01/2026 12:46

Never read or watched LOTR but thought “bilbo” within a nanosecond of reading the title. Bilbo better than elbow for sure. I know a Harry Bowes who is called by his full name by absolutely everyone - pronounced as one word “Haribos” - pals yell it down the street “Haribos! Haribos! HAAAARRRIIIIBOOOOOSSSS!”

While he’s not hugely likely to have his name organically shortened to Bill, the way a William born in the 1930s would, he is being set up for the nickname.

RuthW · 18/01/2026 12:26

it would be Wilbo nor Bilbo. It’s fine.

L Bow (elbow) is definitely not fine.

DallasMajor · 18/01/2026 09:11

Wayne made me actually laugh.

You are right that it is a very tricky surname - easiest thing would be to change the surname and keep William.

But Willbo, Willybo, Billbo are all bad.

As for L. Bowe at school it is very common to have it written like that

Lollylavender · 18/01/2026 09:06

Tulcan · 17/01/2026 23:12

I know a Harry Bowe.

I really think William is completely fine.

Anything L is the worst option.

you’re joking about knowing a Harry Bow?

Jessbow · 18/01/2026 08:54

If you like William - what about Wilfred?
I'd go with William . William Bowe sounds 'strong' to me

There are far worse things n the world that being called Bilbo- If he ever was.

Dont call him Rain or Harry!

Pettenell · 18/01/2026 02:04

I think William is fine. Very few Williams go by Bill these days.

Tulcan · 17/01/2026 23:12

I know a Harry Bowe.

I really think William is completely fine.

Anything L is the worst option.

mmmarmalade · 17/01/2026 22:04

Riddick Bowe was a famous and formidable heavyweight boxer FWIW.

sharkstale · 17/01/2026 21:53

L.Bowe made me laugh 🤣

William Bowe sounds classic. I love it.

RegalDiamondMonster · 17/01/2026 21:30

I like William too, he'd probably be ok but I can understand your cautiousness.

Something safer would be:
Thomas
Adam
Alexander
Henry
James
Martin
Marcus

Unless there's something I've missed with those- it is a deceptively tricky one!

SallySummerPop · 17/01/2026 21:27

I kept reading this to see what I was missing, took me a while. Not a lord of the rings fan though...doubt they'll be many lord of the rings fans in your baby's class (perhaps I'm wrong) and he may be a Will than a Bill. If he did want to be a Bill, Bilbo isn't the worst nickname lol, he can be William went he wants to be formal.

WonderfulSmith · 17/01/2026 21:27

HugoYorway · 17/01/2026 16:18

As for L Bowe, well your name isn’t all that often written like that so I don’t think that would be too much of a problem.
My name is H. Yorway on most of my mail, on credit cards etc.

No one else sees your cards though, and not make people see your post other than people in your house.

StCuntyMcCunterson · 17/01/2026 21:25

If it helps, it took me a good while to work out why L Bowe wasn’t ideal. I spent 30 seconds thinking le bowe was a phrase or insult I wasn’t aware of. I must be tired.

I know a lot of Williams and only one Bill. It’s not really used for young people. William is a solid name too.

HugoYorway · 17/01/2026 21:16

It does sound a bit -Beau, sorry @bilbowe .
Even names like Tom, Sam, Jim, Tim, and Al won't be great.

I'd suggest something that has a diminutive that works too. Joshua/Josh, Peter/Pete and Michael/Mike are ok.